The 14 Best Cold Calling Opening Lines - That Work

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There’s no getting around it – making cold calls can be a daunting task. But if you use the right opening lines, you’ll have a better chance of succeeding. This blog post will share 14 of the best cold call opening lines that work well for sales professionals. These lines will help you start conversations with potential customers and increase your chances of making a sale!

The basics before you make a cold call

First, before you start your cold call, make sure you are prepared. This means having a solid pitch ready, knowing your target market inside and out, and researching the company you are calling.

When making a cold call, put yourself in the customer’s shoes. What are they likely to be interested in? What are their needs and wants? Tailor your opening lines to match what you know about the customer.

Not everyone is comfortable making cold calls. If you’re feeling nervous, take a deep breath and remember that a prospective customer is just a person, just like you. They may be busy, but they’ll appreciate your effort if you can provide them with value.

Remember, your prospect might also be apprehensive about the call, so try to put them at ease. Be friendly and upbeat, and let your prospect know that you’re excited to help them with whatever they need.

Now that you’re ready to make some calls, here are 14 of the best cold call opening lines that will help you get started:

The 14 best cold calling opening lines:

  1. Open by mentioning a referral
  2. Open by asking if the prospect is busy
  3. Open by asking for the prospect’s help
  4. Open by stating the reason for your call
  5. Open by giving a compliment
  6. Open by stating your value proposition
  7. Open by creating intrigue
  8. Open by asking how the prospect is doing
  9. Open by referencing a common interest
  10. Open by mentioning a recent update on the company
  11. Open by mentioning a recent sale or accomplishment
  12. Open by congratulating the prospect on a recent win
  13. Open with a problem-solving approach
  14. Open by mentioning the prospect’s competition

Bonus content:

1. Open by mentioning a referral

One of the best ways to start a cold call is by mentioning a referral. A referral is a trusted source who can vouch for you and your product or service. This shows the customer that you are credible and worth listening to.

Here’s an example of using this opening line: “Hi, Ms. Smith. I’m Mark from ABC Company. I was referred to you by Mr. James, who said you might be interested in our new product.”

When you mention a referral, it shows that you have done your homework and that you’re not just cold calling at random. It also helps build trust with the customer and helps build a connection with the person you’re speaking to.

2. Open by asking if the prospect is busy

Another way to start a cold call is by asking the prospect if they are busy. Professionals are usually busy, so this can be a great way to see if the person is available to speak.

Here’s an example of using this opening line: “Hi, Ms. Smith. I hope you’re having a great day. I’m Mark from ABC Company. I’m calling to see if you’re available to chat for a few minutes.”

This line shows that you are considerate and don’t want to waste the prospect’s time. It also helps to build rapport and make the customer feel important.

3. Open by asking for the prospect’s help

Another great way to start a cold call is by asking for the prospect’s help. Here’s an example:

“Hi, Ms. Smith. I’m Mark from ABC Company. Could I ask your opinion on something?”

This shows that you’re interested in the prospect’s thoughts and respect their time. Often, people are more likely to help someone by asking for their advice or feedback.

4. Open by stating the reason for your call

Another way to start a cold call is by stating the reason for your call.

Here’s an example:

“Hi, Ms. Smith. I’m Mark from ABC Company. I noticed that you’re listed as a contact on the XYZ website. I was wondering if you’re the right person to speak with about purchasing ABC products?”

This will help the prospect understand why you’re calling and make it easier for them to say no. It also shows that you’re interested in their business and have done your research.

5. Open by giving a compliment

Another great way to start a cold call is by giving a compliment. Here’s an example:

“Hi, Ms. Smith. I’m Mark from ABC Company. I really admire your work in the industry.”

This line is a great way to break the ice and start a conversation. It also shows that you’re interested in the prospect’s work and respect their accomplishments.

6. Open by stating your value proposition

Another way to start a cold call is by stating your value proposition. A value proposition is a statement that explains how your product or service is different and better than the competition.

Here’s an example:

“Hi, Ms. Smith. I’m Mark from ABC Company. Our company specializes in creating custom products for businesses like yours. We’re confident that we can provide a solution that meets your needs.”

This will help the prospect understand what you’re selling and why they should be interested.

7. Open by creating intrigue

Another way to start a cold call is by creating intrigue. This is when you make the prospect curious about what you have to say. Here’s an example:

“Hi, Ms. Smith. I’m Mark from ABC Company. I’m sure you’ll be very interested in what I have to say.”

This line is a great way to create excitement and make the prospect curious about what you have to say.

8. Open by asking how the prospect is doing

Another great way to start a cold call is by asking how the prospect is doing. Here’s an example:

“Hi, Ms. Smith. I’m Mark from ABC Company. How are you today?”

This is an excellent way to start a conversation and show that you care about the prospect. It shows that you’re interested in them as a person, not just as a potential customer.

9. Open by referencing a common interest

Another great way to start a cold call is by referencing a common interest. Here’s an example:

“Hi, Ms. Smith. I’m Mark from ABC Company. We went to the same college. I remember seeing you speak at an event on campus.”

This line is a great way to start a conversation and show that you have something in common with the prospect. It also helps to build a relationship.

10. Open by mentioning a recent update on the company

Another great way to start a cold call is by mentioning a recent update on the company. This will show that you’re up-to-date on what’s going on and interested in their business. Here’s an example:

“Hi, Ms. Smith. I’m Mark from ABC Company. I saw that you just released a new product. I’m interested in learning more about it.”

This line is a great way to show the prospect that you’re interested in their business and up-to-date on the latest news.

11. Open by mentioning a recent sale or accomplishment

Another great way to start a cold call is by mentioning a recent sale or accomplishment. This will show the prospect that you’re successful and that they should consider doing business with you. Here’s an example:

“Hi, Ms. Smith. I’m Mark from ABC Company. We just closed our biggest deal ever. I think you’ll be interested in what we can do for you.”

This line is a great way to show the prospect that you’re successful and that they should consider doing business with you. It also helps to build credibility.

12. Open by congratulating the prospect on a recent win

Another great way to start a cold call is by congratulating the prospect on a recent win. Here’s an example:

“Hi, Ms. Smith. I’m Mark from ABC Company. Congratulations on your recent deal . I’m interested in learning more about it.”

This line is a great way to show the prospect that you’re supportive and want them to be successful. It also helps to build credibility.

13. Open with a problem-solving approach

Another way to start a cold call is by taking a problem-solving approach. This is when you offer to help the prospect solve their problem. Here’s an example:

“Hi, Ms. Smith. I’m Mark from ABC Company. I heard that you’re having a problem with your current supplier. I think I can help you solve that problem.”

This line is a great way to show the prospect that you’re helpful and want to solve their problem. When you bring up a prospect’s problem, it shows that you’re knowledgeable about their business and that you’re willing to help them solve it.

14. Open by mentioning the prospect’s competition

Another way to start a cold call is by mentioning the prospect’s competition. Here’s an example:

“Hi, Ms. Smith. I’m Mark from ABC Company. I noticed that you’re using the same supplier as your competition. I think we can offer you a better deal.”

This line is a great way to show the prospect that you’re knowledgeable about their business and willing to go head-to-head with the competition.

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Cold calling opening lines to avoid

Now that you know some of the best cold call opening lines let’s take a look at some of the ones to avoid.

Here are five cold calling opening lines to avoid:

1. Open by asking for a meeting

This is one of the most common cold call opening lines, and it often fails. Prospects usually don’t want to meet with someone they don’t know, so it’s best to avoid this line. It will make the prospect feel like you’re pushy and that you don’t respect their time.

2. Open by asking for their business

Prospects usually don’t want to give their business away to someone they don’t know, so it’s best to avoid this line.

3. Open with a long-winded sales pitch

Prospects usually don’t want to listen to a lengthy sales pitch, so it’s best to avoid this line.

4. Opening with an apology

Don’t start your call by apologizing for calling. This will make the prospect feel like you’re not confident and makes them less likely to want to do business with you.

5. Open by talking only about yourself

This is another standard cold call opening line that often fails. Prospects usually don’t want to listen to someone talk only about themselves, so it’s best to avoid this line. It will make the prospect feel like you’re self-centered and that they’re not important. Please focus on the prospect and their needs, not on yourself.

Cold calling best practices

There are a few cold-calling best practices that you should follow. These include:

  1. Do your research: Find out as much as you can about the prospect before calling them. This will help you personalize your pitch and make it more relevant to them.
  2. Make sure you have a clear goal for the call: What do you want to achieve from this call? Whether it is to make a sale, get a meeting, or establish contact, make sure you have a clear goal in mind.
  3. Be prepared for objections and have a response ready: Objections are a natural part of the sales process. Be prepared for them and have a response ready to overcome them. This will show that you’re knowledgeable about the product and ready to address any concerns the prospect may have.
  4. Prepare, but be flexible: The best way to prepare for a cold call is by having a script or outline of what you want to say. However, be prepared to deviate from it if the prospect wants to talk about something else. This will show that you’re flexible and willing to engage in a conversation with the prospect.
  5. Be confident: This is the most important thing. You need to be confident in what you’re saying and how you’re saying it. If you sound unsure of yourself, your pitch will reflect it, and the prospect will be less likely to do business with you.
  6. Be friendly and personable: The best way to close a cold call is by being friendly and personable. Your prospective customer is more likely to be receptive to your pitch if they like you. After the call, thank the prospect for their time and let them know that you’ll follow up with them. This will leave a positive impression and make them more likely to do business with you.
  7. Make a list of questions to ask the prospect: This will help you gather information about the prospect and their business. It will also help you qualify them and determine if they’re a good fit for your product or service.
  8. Be prepared to answer any questions the prospect might have: Be prepared to answer any questions the prospect might have about your product or service. This will help you build trust and establish a connection with them.
  9. Use a call script: A call script is a great way to ensure that you cover all the crucial points during a cold call. A script will also help you stay focused and avoid rambling on.
  10. Stay upbeat: The best way to stay optimistic during a cold call is by having a positive attitude. If you’re not feeling confident, your pitch will reflect it, and the prospect will be less likely to do business with you.
  11. Practice, practice, practice: The more comfortable you are with your pitch, the better it will sound. If you have a video call, make sure you practice in front of the camera to look and sound confident.
  12. Be persistent: Don’t give up if the prospect doesn’t want to do business with you. Keep trying, and don’t take no for an answer. Sometimes it takes some more effort to close the deal. However, be careful not to come across as pushy or aggressive.
  13. Follow up with the prospect: After the call, follow up with the prospect, thank them for their time, and let them know that you’ll be in touch. Sending a crisp video message will add a personal touch and keep you top of mind. There are several free video editing software that you can use to create a follow-up video. This will help keep the lines of communication open and make it more likely that they’ll do business with you in the future. You can take this a step further and use a suitable CRM to keep track of your prospects’ interactions with you and nurture them at the right time.

Final Thoughts

Use these opening lines and tips to help you start your next call with confidence. Remember to stay upbeat, be prepared, and be confident in what you’re saying. By following these tips, you’ll be able to make a positive impression and increase your chances of landing the sale.

See our posts on the best cold calling tips from 38 sales experts and on prospecting tips.

About the author

Maira is a freelance writer who works with creative brands and B2B companies to support their content writing efforts and SEO strategy, and has writing expertise in digital marketing and branding. Connect with her on LinkedIn or Twitter.